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Name Johnny Lever
Date Of Birth Saturday, January 7, 1950
Biography Johnny Lever, born in Andhra Pradesh and was brought up in Mumbai's King's Circle area (Dharavi). His mother tongue is Telugu. Johnny studied in Andhra Telugu School till the seventh grade but couldn't study further because of financial problems in his family, after which he decided to leave school and started working different kinds of odd jobs, such as selling pens on the streets of Bombay by imitating Bollywood stars and dancing to the songs of Bollywood stars. He also spent his early ages in Yakutpura a old city of Hyderabad from where he learnt the unique style of comedy acting. He developed a passion for mimicry and stand-up comedy, inspired by watching comedians like Johnny Walker, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood in films and mimicry artists like Dinesh Hingoo and Nerella Venumadhav on stage, and thus decided to be a mimicry artist. To seek guidance and help regarding mimicry, he met his mentor Pratap Jani and mimicry artist Ram Kumar, who helped him and taught him the basics of mimicry. Lever was also employed in Hindustan Lever's factory in Mumbai with his father. While working, he entertained his co-workers in the factory by imitating Elvis Presley. At one of the functions at his factory he was asked to perform and show his talent. His popularity among coworkers and officers of the factory by his performance earned him the nickname "Johnny Lever". He started to perform in musical shows (orchestras) and after earning fame, joined the group of Kalyanji-Anandji, a legendary music direction duo. He did a lot of shows and world tours with them, one of his first big tours being with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982. Since he became an instant hit at orchestras and was unable to find time, another comedian who substituted him by the name of Johnny Fever evolved. However, Fever's fame was short-lived as Raju Srivastav came to Mumbai during the same time and started filling gaps of Johnny Lever at orchestras. During this period he learned a lot from his mentor Kalyanji, who was described by Lever as a great philosopher and a very humorous person. At one of his shows, actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent and potential and offered him his first movie Dard Ka Rishta. In the 1980s, he released his mimicry/comedy album, Hansee Ke Hungame, which became a hit in India and the world over, increasing his fame to another level. During this time period, he also did few commercials for Kachua chhap incense, directed by Shekhar Kapoor. In 1986, he performed in a charity show called "Hope 86", in front of the whole Hindi film industry as a filler and was loved by audience. His talent was recognized, which resulted in producer Gul Anand offering him a film called Jalwa with Naseeruddin Shah. He is considered an influential Indian comedian who has been cited as inspiration by many other comics. He has received 13 Filmfare Awards nominations in Best Comedian Category, and has won the award twice.
Original Name Johnrao Prakashrao Janumala
Birth Place Kanigiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
Movies of Johnny Lever

Enemmy as Eric Collaco

Khiladi 786 as Inspector Bhalerao Kambli

Housefull 2 as Vishwas Patil

Be-Careful as Lobo (as Johny Lever)

Bin Bulaye Baraati as Sajjan Singh / Badi Bi

Golmaal 3 as Puppy Bhai
Dulha Mil Gaya
Dulha Mil Gaya as Hussain Bhai

Aao Wish Karein as Hitchcock (as Johny Lever)

Dhoondte Reh Jaoge as Parvez Asharraf / Rubbar Singh

Fool N Final as Kittu Pilot

Phir Hera Pheri as Munnabhai

36 China Town as K.K. (as Johny Lever)

Aisa Kyon Hota Hai? as Banta Singh - Basketball Coach

Kyaa Kool Hai Hum as Narrator
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen as Pashabhai (as Johny Lever)

Hatya: The Murder as Paid Mourner

Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin as Chitra Gupta

Aabra Ka Daabra as Maneklal (as Jhony Lever)

Janasheen as Johnny Chen

Market as (as Johnny Fever)
Koi... Mil Gaya
Koi... Mil Gaya as Chelaram Sukhwani

Aisaa Kyon as Janardhan Johnny
Chalte Chalte
Chalte Chalte as Nandu (the roadside drunk)

Baap Ka Baap as Inspector Pratap Tungare

Kash... Aap Hamare Hote as Native Indian Black face
Khushi
Khushi as Milestone
Kucch To Hai
Kucch To Hai as Popatlal (as Jonny Lever)
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye as Police Officer (as Johny Lever)
Karz: The Burden of Truth
Karz: The Burden of Truth as Jugnu (as Johny Lever)

Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar as Natwar (as Jhonny Lever)

Annarth as Ben Bose, music director

Akhiyon Se Goli Maare as Subramaniam (as Johny Lever)
Humraaz
Humraaz as Mr. Darshan (as Johny Lever)

Awara Paagal Deewana as Chhota Chhatri
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai as Paresh Chaval (Painter) (as Johny Lever)
Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge
Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge as Pakhandee Baba
Ashoka the Great
Ashoka the Great as Magadha Soldier
Ajnabee
Ajnabee as Banu Pradhan (B.P.)

Arjun Devaa as (uncredited)

Aashiq as Fiance

Farz as Taxi

Raju Chacha as Jaddu (as Johny Lever)
Ghaath
Ghaath as Screwdriver

Shikari as Jafrani

Aaghaaz as Rajni Deva

Kaali Topi Lal Rumaal as Nanhey (as Jhony Lever)
Fiza
Fiza as Laughing Club Comic (as Jhonny Lever)
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai as Chatterjee (as Johny Lever)
Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa
Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa as Maggi (as Johny Lever)
Deewane
Deewane as Okay

Kunwara as Gopal (as Jhony Lever)

Joru Ka Ghulam as Kanhaiya (as Jhonny Lever)

Dil Hi Dil Mein as Professor

Krodh as Prem

Hadh Kar Di Aapne as Father / Son lawyer team (as Johny Lever)

Badal as Guler Mehndi
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge as Tour Manager Chirkund (as Johny Lever)

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai as Insp. Parab (uncredited)
Mela
Mela as Insp. Pakkad Singh (as Johny Lever)

Paying Guests as Ballu Singh
De Dana Dan
De Dana Dan as Kaala Krishna Murari

Prem Kaa Game as Ramnik Chedda

Bhavnao Ko Samjho as Vinayak Vasudev Harne / Vivaah Marriage Bureau (as Johny Lever)

Tell Me O Kkhuda as Pandurang P.
 
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